Northern Rail: ‘No overnight cure’ warns Stuart Andrew as Rachel Reeves demands answers

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February 2, 2020

stuart andrew new pudsey — Former Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew

Politicians in West Leeds and Pudsey have welcomed the news the Northern Rail is to be brought under public control, following years of train cancellations and delays.

Following the announcement, Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves (Labour) has written to the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to demand answers about the Government’s plans for the network.

MP Rachel Reeves at Kirkstall Forge Station

In her letter, Ms Reeves argues that whilst stripping Northern of its franchise is a welcome step, that alone will not be enough to solve the problems of chronic delays, cancellations and overcrowding.

Significant investment in railway infrastructure by the Government will be required to put Northern on the path to providing an acceptable service

Commenting on her letter, Rachel Reeves said:

“Passengers have had to endure an appalling service from Northern for far too long.
“It is welcome that the Government has finally decided to stop dragging its feet and intervene, but now it needs to deliver improvements to our railway network to start putting things right for passengers.
“If the Government really cares about passengers in the North, they will end the inequality between transport spending in London and the North and deliver the urgent investment in new rolling stock and railway infrastructure that we desperately need.”

Stuart Andrew, Conservative MP for Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough, has welcome the news that the Northern Rail franchise will be taken into public ownership from the 1 March. He said:

“I have long argued that the rail service offered to those of us in the North of England is simply not adequate, and I am grateful to the Government for listening to my constituents and taking the Northern franchise into public ownership.

“While I appreciate it will not be an overnight cure due to the scale of the Northern network, I am pleased that we are making progress and I would be grateful to my constituents for a small amount more patience while the Government work to fix this.
“I am especially pleased that the Government have acknowledged the issues we are facing and are delivering on our promises to the North of England with new and improved trains, addressing overcrowding, extending 30 station platforms and ensuring we have cleaner, more spacious stations and a uniform service across the North that we can rely on.”

dan walker armley — Liberal Democrat Dan Walker

Leeds West Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson Dan Walker said:

“There are five railway stations wholly or partly in Leeds West Constituency, all of which are served by Northern Rail.
“We must take this opportunity to have better transport for the area, which must include improvements to all services at existing stations, as well as considering reopening former stations where possible as part of a practical mass transit system, to reduce congestion and to benefit the environment.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced on January 9 that the Northern franchise was no longer financially sustainable and would only be able to continue for a small number of months. He said this week:

“This is a new beginning for Northern, but it is only a beginning.
“Northern’s network is huge and complex and some of the things which are wrong are not going to be quick or easy to put right. But I am determined that Northern passengers see real and tangible improvements across the network as soon as possible.
“The railways were invented in the North. Last year the Prime Minister promised that we would give the railway back to the places it was born, giving more power over services, fares, and stations to local leaders.
“Today marks the first small step towards the North taking back control of its railways and its people taking back control of their travelling lives.
“There will be no more leaving behind. This Government is committed to levelling-up.”

The Government says it is committed to delivering real and tangible improvements across the network as quickly as possible, and will introduce a series of measures including;

Introduce a number of electric trains from elsewhere on the network, boosting capacity for commuters into Manchester and Leeds.
Lengthening platforms at 30 stations by the spring, in addition to the 30 already completed, to allow longer trains to run.
All existing trains will be deep-cleaned and the approach to cleaning reviewed.
Improve the reliability of Sunday services.

Burley’s Solidarity Cafe aims to help tackle social isolation

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January 31, 2020

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Aire Place Studios in Burley is hosting its first Solidarity Cafe this weekend, writes Keely Bannister.

Taking place on Saturday 1st February from 1pm until 4pm, the cafe is a peer-to-peer/volunteer space where people can spend time win a friendly/supportive environment.

They can also get help with things such as applying for a job or benefits, updating CVs, or advice on where to access specific services.

A laptop will be available for anyone wishing to log onto their Universal Credit account or to look for jobs.

Affordable tea and coffee will be available as will crafting supplies for adults and children making the space welcoming to all.

Volunteers present at the cafe have a wealth of experience and knowledge, but are not experts.

For this reason, people needing specific help are requested to email solidaritycafeleeds@Gmail.com in confidence so that the team can do their best to make sure volunteers with the best skill set are present to help.

Located on Kirkstall Road, the Studios have limited on-site parking to the front of the building and the building is easily accessible via a range of bus services.

Ramps are available for disabled attendees to access the studios. The studios operate a safe space policy and has gender neutral toilets available on the ground floor.

Concerns grow over Kirkstall housing plans

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January 31, 2020

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kirkstall district centre — Eyesore: Kirkstall District Centre. Photo: Google

Residents in Kirkstall are being urged to lodge last-gasp objections to plans for 263 dwellings on the former district centre site.

Developers Artisan submitted plans for the Kirkstall Place development last March, but a number of concerns have been raised locally about increased traffic congestion.

At last night’s Kirkstall Neighbourhood Forum annual general meeting residents were encouraged to file objections to the proposals, which Kirkstall councillor John Illingworth (Lab) claims have changed since they sere first submitted.

He says developers are unwilling to make a greenspace contribution and that they were unwilling to provide affordable housing.

Cllr Illingworth said:

“Initial discussions with councillors and community groups originally promised full compliance with the council’s core strategy. This included substantial off-site greenspace, an effective residents’ parking scheme and the full quota of affordable housing. Our initial support was obtained on this basis.

The scheme now on offer falls far short of the expectations raised during the public consultation.

The council called in the government’s District Valuer to resolve the impasse with Artisan. The District Valuer has decided that while the site has its challenges in terms of a steep slope, the developer should still provide some affordable housing on the site.

Cllr Illingworth criticised the District Valuer’s decision to redact several key figures in his report, which Cllr Illingworth says makes it difficult for councillors and Kirkstall Neighbourhood Forum to make an informed comment on the valuer’s opinion.

“We cannot see several key sums and calculations ion the report, which makes a mockery of us trying to comment on it. The report should be open to the public.
“I am up for a scrap on this. I am outraged. The guy is not being straight with us.”

The meeting heard a decision on the plans could be made by Leeds City Council towards the end of February.

A statement issued by Kirkstall Neighbourhood Forum before the meeting said:

“The District Valuer has reviewed Artisan’s claims and offers them qualified support, but he apparently objects to the publication of his own report, so we are unable to properly challenge his conclusions or discuss them with the public.
“He also warns that there are other things that Artisan could claim for, so it is entirely possible that the Artisan scheme might yield no public benefit whatsoever.
“There is the clearest possible government guidance that the District Valuer’s report is a public document. This impasse is wasting everybody’s time and makes a mockery of the Council naming the Kirkstall Neighbourhood Forum as an official consultee on Kirkstall planning applications.
“How can the Kirkstall Neighbourhood Forum possibly function as a consultee if its members can’t see the relevant paperwork?
“Most of the public have no idea what is happening and they are unaware that the scheme that Artisan advertised last Spring can not meet key performance targets. “

West Leeds Dispatch has contacted the District Valuer’s press office for comment.

Cllr Illingworth urged people at the meeting to object by e-mailing planning@leeds.gov.uk.

The number of affordable housing units have been reduced from 40 to 22 on the site, with Artisan expected to make a 20% profit on the site.

Plans include 263 dwellings and flexible commercial floorspace which could be used as shops or offices.

View the plans in full here.

Councillors hope Pudsey Leisure Centre improvements will boost attendance

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January 30, 2020

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Pudsey councillors have welcomed a £30,000 cash injection for Pudsey Leisure Centre.

As reported by the Dispatch earlier this month, £500k of investment from Leeds City Council is aiming to increasing declining user numbers at cash-strapped leisure centres across the city.

The cash for Pudsey Leisure Centre will go towards converting a disused sunbed room into a new exercise/toning room.

There are also separate plans for minor works to the reception area.

In a report issued by the Council this month, customer comments were noted about the need for improvements to a number of Leisure Centres across Leeds.

It is hoped that people will take advantage of the new exercise/toning room facility at Pudsey, encouraging more people to use the centre.

trish smith pudsey conservative — Cllr Trish Smith

Councillor Trish Smith (Conservative, Pudsey ward) said:

“For a number of years now I have been of the view that existing facilities at the Leisure Centre are in need of significant improvement. I am also pleased to hear of improvements to the reception area at the Leisure Centre.
“Let’s hope to see an increase in user satisfaction levels from the new exercise room.”

Councillor Mark Harrison (Conservative, Pudsey ward) said:

“I’m glad to see that the Council has listened to customer feedback and taken this on board. Pudsey Leisure Centre is a vital part of the community, so let’s hope the investment continues. I hope to see some positive feedback from local people.”

Councillor Simon Seary (Conservative, Pudsey ward) said:

“I recognise that within leisure centres people look for good standard facilities and when these fall below par, the number of users also falls. So improvement is essential, along with continued maintenance.”

Leeds City Council has also agreed to invest £20,000 at Kirkstall Leisure Centre. This includes studio refurbishment and general re-decoration work.

Meeting will discuss Kirkstall Abbey path changes

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January 30, 2020

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kirkstall abbey ruins — Kirkstall Abbey. Photo: MARK STEVENSON

Changes to plans for a pedestrian and cycle path linking Kirkstall Abbey grounds to woods near Kirkstall Forge have been met with local concern.

The proposed pathway was agreed as part of the outline planning permission granted to developers CEG for their multi-million pound Kirkstall Forge development. Within the permission was money to be put towards community improvements.

At last night’s Kirkstall Neighbourhood Forum annual general meeting concerns were expressed by residents at the meeting that changes to the path now included bikes and that this and other points had not been adequately consulted on by CEG or the council.

“We have a few questions that need answering,” said one woman. “I’m not convinced cycles whizzing past is the best option, but the community hasn’t been properly consulted.”

The aim of the path is to be part of a wider aspiration to create a continuous corridor along the River Aire, known as Kirkstall Valley Park.

Residents were told it was not possible for it to completely follow an existing riverside walk due to its width, steep inclines and threat of flooding, so it will take an alternative route through woodland.

It was agreed that Cllr Hannah Bithell (Lab, Kirkstall) would set up a meeting between councillors, interested residents, CEG and walking and cycling charity Sustrans to attempt to resolve any issues.

The path will go to the edge of lane owned by CEG and ultimately connect to Kirkstall Forge.

Solved: The mystery of the disappearing Kirkstall planning application

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January 30, 2020

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Plans for a new car sales pitch for 100 cars off Commercial Road in Kirkstall have been invalidated by Leeds City Council.

Applicant Peter Fearnley wants to build a car storage/car sales site next to the car wash on 58 Commercial Road – but the application suddenly disappeared from Leeds City Council’s planning portal without explanation.

But speaking at last night’s Kirkstall Neighbourhood Forum annual general meeting, Councillor Fiona Venner (Lab, Kirkstall) said that the application, which has attracted local opposition, had been invalidated. She said:

“This is because the applicant submitted three different site/boundary plans and, despite asking for confirmation as to which plan accurately reflects the site area, this information has not been forthcoming.
“If the applicant submits a valid site boundary, the application will become live again.”

Cllr Venner said that if the application became live, the 13-week determination period would start afresh and a new three-week consultation period with site notices. All previously made comments on the application would be carried over.

The Friends of Burley Mills and St Ann’s Woods and Wildlife group had expressed their concerns, saying the area is adjacent to the Kirkstall Wildflower Meadow.

There had also been other local objections, including all three Kirkstall councillors.

The proposals include the raising of ground levels by the importation of inert waste and the construction of retaining walls. Trees on the site were cut down in March 2018.

The Dispatch first reported on the application last month.

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Kirkstall Neighbourhood Forum AGM discusses plan progress

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January 30, 2020

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A community group aiming to provide Kirkstall residents with more of a say over the future of their community say they’ve made ‘significant’ progress over the past year.

But they’ve acknowledged it could be another two years before the plan becomes a reality.

The Kirkstall Neighbourhood Forum (KNF) was formed in 2016 to prepare a Kirkstall Neighbourhood Plan, which gives residents better control over new development and greater influence over the spending of local funds.

The plan will also help to consider ways on how to tackle some of the major issues affecting Kirkstall, including traffic congestion.

At KNF’s annual general meeting last night, chairman John Liversedge said progress had been made through public engagement during the past 12 months.

Mr Liversedge said the group has received £6,787 from national community support organisation Locality to carry out its engagement via public meetings, thousands of leaflets and schools.

He said the forum would be working with local groups and forums and added:

“In 2019 we have made significant progress, which has been a fair time coming. We are starting to hit the nail on the head.
“We’ve been carrying out a lot of consultation and engagement across the Kirkstall ward, which is a big area to cover, and we’re hoping soon to move on from the results of that engagement which hasn’t been an easy job.”

Leeds City Council, who are helping the forum prepare the plan, were represented by Ian MacKay, who has citywide responsibility for neighbourhood forums. He provided a potential timeline for the plan:

Summer 2020 – agree vision and objectives
Late 2020 – prepare draft plan
January 2021 – Approve draft plan at AGM
Summer/Autumn 2021 – Examination of draft plan
Winter 2021/Spring 2022 – Referendum to approve plan

Mr MacKay explained that the plan would not replace local and national planning policy, but would work alongside it.

He stressed the idea wasn’t to stop development in Kirkstall, but achieve better and more measured development across the ward, which includes Burley, Hawksworth Wood and parts of the Spen Lane area.

KNF has 200 members. The board was re-elected unanimously.

The meeting also debated local concerns over a proposed new footpath from Kirkstall Forge to Kirkstall Abbey and plans for a new sales pitch for 100 cars off Commercial Road which was recently invalidated.

There was also a lively discussion over Artisan’s plans for a more than 260 properties at the former Kirkstall District Centre site, with residents urged to object to the proposals amid calls for greater public consultation by developers.

Mass transit system to be discussed by transport chiefs

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January 30, 2020

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A third attempt at bringing a mass transit system to West Yorkshire is set to be discussed by regional authority leaders next week, writes Richard Beecham.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) is looking to ‘accelerate’ early plans to fund the building of a rail-based system, adding its research suggests a state-of-the-art battery powered service could be likely.

Early plans revealed in 2018 – dubbed as ‘the start of a conversation’ by transport chiefs – features a route that could run from Leeds city centre to Holbeck, Armley, Bramley and Pudsey before heading into Bradford and North Kirklees, ending at Dewsbury.

It’s unclear whether transport bosses are still considering the same routes in their latest plans.

It follows calls from regional leaders last month urging Prime Minister Boris Johnson to commit £20m to help them develop a Leeds mass transit system he had promised after the December general election.

Previous attempts at bringing a tram system and trolleybus to the city were scrapped in 2005 and 2016 respectively. But a paper published by WYCA, which looks after large transport and infrastructure projects in the region, claims ‘early preparatory works’ must now take place for mass transit in West Yorkshire.

It added ‘further capital approval’ would be sought for such a scheme this spring.

The document stated:

“With announcements likely around future funding of mass transit during the next few months, the project team is now looking to accelerate work, with capital funding approvals likely to be sought at the April 2020 Combined Authority for further mass transit development.”

It later added:

“In a post-Brexit world, there is a need for a transport system worthy of a region that is seeking to compete on a global stage. There is a significant opportunity to truly transform the transport system over the next decade through blending best in class, innovative technologies to create a 21st Century mass transit system.”

The report claims WYCA has conducted market testing on future technologies for tram travel, concluding battery technologies were ‘likely to be the most viable option’, and that this could mean avoiding the use of overhead wires.

It also added autonomous cars were ‘not a solution to mass transit’, and would be ‘likely to make congestion worse’.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the commons in December that his government would “remedy the scandal that Leeds should be the largest city in Western Europe without light rail or a metro”.

A recent Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund submission included a £20 million ‘ask’ for mass transit development funding as well as a commitment to see it delivered from central government.

In late 2018, WYCA raised eyebrows by discussing a ‘tube’-style map – featured at the top of this article – indicating the communities most likely to be served by mass transit.

In 2016, plans to build a £250m trolley bus network in Leeds were rejected by the Government, following a report from a planning inspector who said the scheme was “not in the public interest”.

Have your say on Leeds West Academy proposals to increase school places

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January 29, 2020

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Leeds West Academy are consulting on proposals to increase places at the school, writes Keely Bannister.

Trustees are working in partnership with Leeds City Council to permanently increase the number of places offered at Leeds West Academy in Year 7 from 240 to 300 students with effect from September 2022.

A consultation document explains that there has been an increase in demand and places in West Leeds primary schools over recent years which is now creating a need for extra places in secondary places.

Writing on their website, the academy state that the proposed expansion would present an opportunity for them to:

Respond to the demand for secondary school places in the local area
Generate greater financial efficiencies to allow for recruitment and retention of the very best staff
Improve our educational and sporting facilities
Create facilities that will support us on our drive to become a world class school

Two community drop-in sessions are to be held at Leeds West Academy for any member of the local community to get more information/ask questions about/on the proposals:

They will be on:

Tuesday 11th February from 3.30pm until 5.30pm and
Tuesday 25th February from 5pm until 6.30pm

Located on Intake Lane in Bramley, Leeds West Academy is part of the White Rose Academies Trusts.

Last June the school netted a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted after previously being told that it required improvement.

Have your say here on the proposals before the consultation ends on 1st March .

West Leeds schools celebrate launch of rugby Super League season at Headingley

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January 29, 2020

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Schools from across West (and North) Leeds came together at Headingley Emerald Stadium to celebrate the launch of the new Super League Season, writes Jo Fiddes.

Pupils from Lower Wortley Primary at the launch.

The event itself gained national coverage, with news reports on Sky, BBC and ITV.

Teams from each school were paired with teams playing the in the Super League, and pupils were thrilled to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Super League Captains.

After meeting their sporting heroes, they then had the opportunity to play a series of friendlies against other schools on Headingley’s hallowed turf.

Holy Family Primary pupils (blue) take on Armley’s St Bartholomew’s Primary at Headingley

Peter McQuillen-Strong, headteacher of Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Armley, said:

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – the children got to show their rugby skills both to the media and to the professional players. The fun tag rugby event was played with great sportsmanship and something we will all remember for a very long time.”

Children from Castleton Primary School have even more reason to remember this event.

Castleton Primary School pupils in Armley get ready for their big moment on Sky TV.

After being partnered with Toronto Wolfpack (pictured in the main photo at top of this page), they had a changing room opportunity to interview a rugby legend – Sonny Bill Williams.

Graham Jones PE lead at Castleton, said:

“The confidence the children showed both on the pitch and in the changing room when they interviewed one of the most famous rugby players in the world, was just amazing. A really proud moment for us all.”

Woodhall Playing Fields: Plans submitted for community sports hub

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January 28, 2020

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Plans to transform sports facilities at Woodhall Playing Fields into a community hub have been submitted by Leeds City Council, writes Keely Bannister.

If approved, the current sports pavilion would be demolished and a new one-storey pavilion would be built, as well as three floodlit artificial grass pitches.

Housing changing facilities, a community cafe, reception area and meeting rooms, the new pavilion building would replace the current two-storey one which hasn’t been fully in use since a fire damaged part of it in 2009.

Relocated to be “nestled within the woodland setting, away from residential properties on Woodhall Lane” in Pudsey, the new pavilion building would sit on the former tennis courts close to the proposed pitches and would have a sloped green roof to mitigate impact on its Green Belt surroundings.

The cafe would have views over the football pitches and the meeting rooms would open out into the main cafe via movable walls for “flexibility and to accommodate a wide range of users”

A document submitted to explain the design of the site expresses the importance of the meeting rooms to the development, stating:

“The meeting rooms are key aspects of the proposals, making the scheme more financially viable to operate. It is proposed that the meeting rooms will be utilised for a range of reasons, such as community classes as well as by the football clubs using the facility for team meetings / coaching. There is a private external terrace to the rear of the meeting rooms as they will also be able to be booked out for children’s parties etc.”

Suggested opening hours are 9am to 10.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6.30pm on a Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays. The equivalent of four full-time jobs will be created.

Three new floodlit, artificial grass pitches would be created, each with multiple pitch markings to support a variety of different age and match types.

All three of the pitches will be enclosed by a metal ball-stop fence. A relaid, full0size grass pitch will also be available for weekend use.

18 football teams from Calverley, Farsley, Pudsey and Stanningley currently use the pitches at Woodhall and all of them will be permitted to use the new facilities if they are developed.

Whilst the plans would see the loss of some playing pitches, documents submitted in support of the application add:

“Whilst this proposal will result in the loss of part of existing grass playing fields and current playing pitches at Woodhall Lane Sports Ground, the provision of new AGPs will provide increased usage in comparison to the area of sports ground they will replace.
“The existing grass pitches are known to suffer in particularly wet weather. This season, there have been 3 weekends where Leeds City Council Parks & Countryside have officially closed pitches for bad weather. Additionally, there have been other occasions where teams have cancelled play at the referee’s decision. Some damage has been done to the pitches when travellers breached the site on two occasions.”

The document goes on to explain other benefits of the proposals, stating:

“This proposal will deliver wide ranging benefits at Woodhall Lane Sports Ground, for local community clubs and groups; significantly improving the quality and quantity of sport facilities available in the local area.
“The overall aim of the project is to engage as many people in physical activity as possible through the creation of the AGPs.
“Improvements to existing sports facilities will encourage participation in sport and leisure activities and in turn bring much needed health benefits with opportunity to generally improve quality of life for people engaged with the project.”

Impact on area

Potential impacts on nearby residential dwellings have been considered as part of the application.

A noise impact assessment concludes:

“Based on measured and predicted noise levels a noise impact assessment has been carried out to the existing residential dwellings located on Woodhall Lane, Bradford Road and Sunnybank Lane.
“The assessment suggests that the noise due to proposed AGPs would be equal to or below the existing typical background level at the façades of the nearest noise sensitive receivers and is in accordance with the Local Authorities criteria. As such this is an indication that the proposed AGPs would have a low impact on the nearby residential receivers, and is therefore in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.”

Whilst the structures will be visible from nearby residential properties, floodlight mast heights were selected carefully to avoid the need for intensive lighting that would potentially have a negative impact on these dwellings.

Access and parking

Proposed vehicular access to the northeast of the site with a document stating the following improvements are proposed:

“Vehicular access is proposed to the northeast of the site and will involve the replacement of the existing gated dropped-kerb access, with a newly created priority access (with kerbed radii) connecting with Woodhall Lane north of its current location. It is proposed that a security gate will be provided in order to prevent unauthorised access outside of periods of site operation.”

204 car parking spaces are proposed within the site – an increase from zero existing currently, according to the application form, with on-street parking being the only option.

A transport assessment concludes that the proposed car park would be a “betterment of the existing situation with users of the recreational ground currently parking on Woodhall Lane when accessing the site”.

It also states that a “suite of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) are also proposed which will improve the existing situation on the local highway network by restricting the ability to park on-street along Woodhall Lane”, although these are not detailed at present.

Footpaths and play areas

Other benefits to the development are named as extra public footpaths, a parkour and rock climbing park and a children’s woodland play area, with documentation explaining:

“A series of public footpaths surround the site and connect to Woodhall Lake and the West Leeds Green Gateway Trail.
“A shortage of facilities for teenagers has been identified in the area and therefore a teenage play facility is proposed adjacent to Woodhall Lane. This location will provide a degree of natural surveillance. It is proposed this contains parkour equipment and rock climbing boulders. Parkour is related to free running but is characterised by the obstacles in its environment.
“There is a second play area proposed adjacent to the pavilion building. This is set amongst the trees forming a woodland play area with wildlife themed equipment making an interactive and exciting place for both children and parents.
“Grass seating mounds are proposed around the site providing a viewing area towards the pitches and countryside environment. Large numbers of native trees and wildflowers will be planted to help increase the ecological value of the site and support local wildlife populations.”

Background to the scheme

Parklife is a national programme funded by the Premier League, The Football Association (FA) and the Department for Culture Media via Sport, Sport England, the programme is delivered by The Football Foundation – the national charity of these funders.

It aims to address a chronic shortage of good quality pitches where according to FA data, only one third of grass pitches in England are of adequate quality.

The Woodhall Lane site was put forward to be one of four hubs to be developed across Leeds after a consultation identified a lack of opportunity and open space in Pudsey, Calverley and Farsley. A further public consultation event was held just before Christmas in St James’s Church, Pudsey.

You can view – and comment – on the plans here.

West Leeds: Groups net environmental cash

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January 28, 2020

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kirkstall in bloom volunteers — Kirkstall in Bloom volunteers hard at work.

Three environmental groups in West Leeds have been awarded funding to improve their communities.

The groups received grants of between £500 and £2500 for projects of environmental benefit to public green space in Leeds and highlight the important role parks play cleaning the air, promoting biodiversity and mitigating the impact of climate change.

Of the 13 groups awarded cash across Leeds, three are in the west of the city.

Kirkstall in Bloom: bulb planting and flowerbed development.
The Conservation Volunteers: the Wild in the Winter project will provide environmental education for children, and offer volunteer leadership opportunities.
Rodley Nature Reserve: creation of an accessible birch tree copse.

Nominated: Rodley Nature Reserve. Photo courtesy http://www.rodleynaturereserve.org/explore/gallery/

It follows the declaration of a Climate Emergency in Leeds in March 2019 and comes at a time of growing recognition of the wide ranging benefits of urban green space.

The fund is part of a partnership initiative called Love Leeds Parks, involving Leeds Community Foundation, Leeds Parks and Green Spaces Forum and Leeds City Council, and is funded by business donations, as well as visitor donations at busy park sites.

Love Leeds Parks aims to protect and improve public green space in Leeds – over 4000 hectares of woodlands, recreation grounds, cemeteries, nature reserves, and allotments, as well as formal parks.

Kate Hainsworth, Chief Executive of Leeds Community Foundation, said:

“It’s great to see so many key projects funded as a result of the Leeds Parks Fund. Protecting and developing green spaces is key to offering experiences for all in Leeds and investing in our environment by supporting schemes that play their part in tackling climate change.”

The grants round was heavily over-subscribed and the partners involved in Love Leeds Parks plan to fundraise for another grants round later this year.